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Tourism sector reaching new heights

Feb 08,2018 - Last updated at Feb 08,2018

The announcement of the Ministry of Tourism and the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) that 14 new airline routes from European cities to Amman and Aqaba will be launched this year is a most welcome boost to the country's tourism industry and even a bigger drive to the national economy.

The new airline connections that will originate from key European cities will be operated by low-cost airlines, spearheaded by Ryanair.

According to the government's latest report on its 2017 achievements, the tourism industry recorded the most impressive growth results and is projected to exceed the pace this year. More than half a million tourists are expected to visit Jordan this year. It goes without saying that a dramatic rise in the number of tourists to the country will generate much needed income, create employment opportunities and increase hard currency reserve.

Contemporary tourism businesses operate on the basis of low-cost package deals and this is what Jordan aims to introduce this year by inviting low-cost airlines.

The national economy is in need for new sources of income to combat poverty and improve living conditions, especially for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. The government has, therefore, made a very wise decision when it opened the door for low-cost airlines in its bid to further promote the tourism industry.

Introducing low-cost flights and tour packages, however, brings along not only opportunities, but also new responsibilities and planning, and this entails the construction of more affordable hotels or offer competitive rates at existing hotels for budget travellers. Such necessary preparations should not be too difficult to turn the increasing flow of tourists into an even bigger success story.

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The Jordan Times

The Jordan Times is an independent English-language daily published by the Jordan Press Foundationsince October 26, 1975. The Jordan Press Foundation is a shareholding company listed on the Amman Stock Exchange.